Polite Requests and Offers in Business English
Make appropriately polite requests and offers with could, would, can, may, and related expressions.
Learning Objective
Polite Requests and Offers in Business English
Choose request and offer forms that suit workplace relationships, degree of imposition, and communication channel.
Clear Explanation
Politeness depends on wording, tone, context, and the size of the request. Could you and Would you are less direct than imperatives; offers commonly use Can I, Shall I, or Would you like.
Form and Structure
Could/Would you + base verb?; Can/Shall I + base verb?; Would you like + noun/to-infinitive?
“Could you send the revised figures by Thursday?”
A more indirect form is not always better. In urgent or safety-critical contexts, a clear direct request can be the most appropriate and respectful choice.
Meaning and Use
Request
Use a modal question and make the action and deadline clear.
“Would you review this section when you have time?”
Offer
Offer a specific action rather than using an unclear general promise.
“Can I help you prepare the slides?”
Softening
Please, when you have a moment, and would you mind can reduce directness.
“Would you mind checking the attachment?”
Common Errors and Meaning Traps
Could you to send the invoice?
Could you send the invoice?
Use the base verb without to after could.
Would you mind to wait a moment?
Would you mind waiting a moment?
Would you mind is followed by an -ing form.
I want you send this today.
Could you send this today, please?
A modal request is more appropriate than the incomplete and overly direct want construction here.
Guided Practice
Use the grammar in context
“Shall I arrange a follow-up meeting?”
“Would you like me to copy the finance team?”
Rewrite three direct workplace commands as clear, appropriately polite requests or offers.
Quick Recap
Politeness depends on wording, tone, context, and the size of the request. Could you and Would you are less direct than imperatives; offers commonly use Can I, Shall I, or Would you like.
Use a modal question and make the action and deadline clear.
A more indirect form is not always better. In urgent or safety-critical contexts, a clear direct request can be the most appropriate and respectful choice.
Use the base verb without to after could.
Independent Mastery Check
Complete these four checks before taking the quiz. If one feels difficult, return to the matching section and try again.
Explain the core rule in your own words without looking back at the lesson.
Find the target form in “Could you send the revised figures by Thursday?” and explain what it communicates in this context.
Explain why “Could you send the invoice?” is the recommended revision for “Could you to send the invoice?”.
Rewrite three direct workplace commands as clear, appropriately polite requests or offers.
Continue at B1-B2 Level
Aim for at least 5 out of 6 in the quiz below. For every missed answer, read the explanation, return to the relevant section, and try the quiz again.
Which statement best explains Polite Requests and Offers in Business English?
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